EV is going blonde

EV's hair is getting fairer by the day, in front of my very eyes. She isn't quite blonde yet but a fair, golden shade of brown (as compared to the dark brown hair she was born with). I'm not sure how it is getting lighter as it hasn't noticably fallen out.

EV is partying in her pyjamas

EV's swimming class had a sponsored "Splashathon" today to raise money for Tommy's baby charity. Babies and mums(!) had to go in their pyjamas. It was also suppose dto be good experience for life saving (knowing what it feels like to be in the water fully clothed, I guess) Fun but heavy; EV and mum are both exhausted now!

EV is easily distracted by shiny objects

EV has been playing with kitchen foil today. She loved it. She scrunched it with her fists, felt along the tiny creases with her fingers, mashed it with her gums, she even had a go at moulding it over her feet. So much fun to be had with such a simple object. And it makes a great noise too. EV passed it from hand to hand, rotating it all the way round and watching the light on it. It's quite crumpled now but it still has quite a way to go before it becomes a shiny little ball. So I've put it in EV's Treasure Basket for now so she can rediscover it another day.

EV is making marks

EV is starting to show an interest in the marks and textures she can make with food spilt on her high chair. She is really tactile with her fingertips and sometimes forgets all about eating once she notices a piece or puddle of food on the tray and starts to move it around.

EV is berry confused

My Grandma came round today to watch EV for me for a little while. She had brought some fruit round for us to have with dinner- strawberries and raspberries.

Whilst I was out, my Grandma offered EV some of the chopped up berries as a snack, starting with a raspberry. EV did not like the taste of raspberry one little bit. Since she hasn't yet grasped the art of spitting out (thankfully!) she had to reluctantly stomach the tart little mouthful. Seeing the contortions of EV's face, my grandma decided that maybe she would prefer a little piece of strawberry.

EV showed off her emerging intellect, took one look at the ripe red fruit in my grandma's hand and pulled the exact same face she had for the raspberry, closed her lips tight and waved her little arms defensively!

EV is using a spoon

This one got me very excited. I loaded up EV's spoon and left it in her bowl, whilst sneaking a bite of my own lunch. EV picked up the handle and guided the spoon directly into her own mouth. She repeated the half a dozen times (with my help to load up the spoon) and it wasn't even too messy. Fantastic!

EV is consolidating

Haven't posted in a little while again. EV hasn't really been up to anything new in the last few days, just practicing and getting better at the same old tricks: turning on her bottom, reaching for things, clapping, quacking, waving, "Dadaada"-ing (it's getting very close to "Daddy" now but she'll say it to anyone!) She is getting a lot more confident at all these things.

It's really interesting to watch how something you see first only now and then, very briefly, with lots of encouragement and maybe dismiss as a fluke can slowly evolve into being part of her everyday repertoire, such that it's often hard to put a finger on when any real "firsts" are.